Karakura Town rested under a quiet evening sky. On a narrow residential street stood an old camphor tree, its branches stretching lazily over the sidewalk. Perched atop one branch was a petite girl with short black hair tied into a curled tail, a single strand falling forward onto her forehead. Her violet eyes blinked sleepily.
She wore a standard black Shinigami uniform and had her Zanpakutō secured at her waist. After scanning the area with mild interest, she yawned, stretched out like a cat in the sun, and lay flat across the treetop.
Not far away—hidden by the shadow between two streetlights—the air ripple subtly. On the opposite side of the tree, crouched in a narrow alley, a lone figure watched the girl from afar. Tears streamed down his cheeks despite his attempts to suppress them. His teeth pressed into his lip.
"Sister Rukia… it's been thirty years."
Kurotsuki Renya's voice shook.
Three decades had passed since he left Seireitei. And now, the moment he dreaded and longed for in equal measure had arrived—the official beginning of the main storyline. Rukia Kuchiki had finally been sent to the Human World under Aizen's secret manipulation.
Renya trembled.
He had missed her dearly.
Thirty years of training, planning, and waiting—yet seeing her again made his heart ache.
But he could not approach her.
Not yet.
Not until the correct moment.
He wiped his face, forcing himself to retreat from the scene. Slowly, he slipped away into the night, returning to his temporary residence.
Five days later
Yoruichi received a message through her covert channels and immediately brought Renya to the Urahara Shop. Inside the dim-lit underground training room, Urahara Kisuke stood leaning on his cane, his striped hat casting a shadow over his expression.
The moment they arrived, he greeted them with a heavy sigh.
"Kuchiki Rukia has arrived in the Human World… and she triggered Kurosaki Ichigo's awakening as a Substitute Shinigami."
Renya forced a confused expression and asked, "What happened exactly?"
Kisuke explained, "Last night, Kuchiki-san encountered a Hollow while tracking spiritual disturbances. She was injured protecting Kurosaki Ichigo. In a desperate moment, she transferred her Shinigami powers to him."
Renya already knew the truth—Aizen had orchestrated Rukia's assignment, intending to activate Ichigo's latent hybrid potential and observe the results. But Renya could not reveal that.
He instead nudged Urahara toward the correct line of suspicion.
"How did Rukia even cross paths with Kurosaki Ichigo in the first place?" Renya asked carefully.
Urahara frowned. "It is… unusual."
In the original timeline, Urahara never learned of Aizen's direct involvement. He simply focused on protecting Rukia and concealing the Hōgyoku within her soul using Gigai technology.
But Renya's presence alters many variables.
Now, Urahara could no longer risk hiding the Hōgyoku at the cost of Rukia's safety. And unlike before, Aizen needed to be forced into acting prematurely.
Renya pressed gently, "Captain Aizen already knows the Hōgyoku is inside Rukia Kuchiki. This is our chance to draw him out."
Urahara's eyes narrowed.
"You believe someone is manipulating this situation… don't tell me you suspect Aizen himself?"
Renya raised a hand subtly. "Whether it was him directly or not, Aizen is certainly aware of Rukia's condition. This means he will act soon. We must prepare."
Urahara asked, "Then what exactly do you propose?"
Renya replied, "Shopkeeper Urahara… you implanted the Hōgyoku inside Rukia's soul. That wasn't just storage—it was a method recorded in the Reigai manuals to suppress the detection of powerful artifacts."
Urahara nodded. "Originally, I intended to completely hide the Hōgyoku. But doing so would cause Rukia to become spiritually powerless. Now that Aizen has discovered her, that plan is no longer viable."
"Then continue," Renya said simply.
"Continue?" Urahara repeated, puzzled.
Renya nodded.
"If you attempt to extract the Hōgyoku, Aizen will react. He will intervene. Whether through himself or his proxies, he must reveal his hand. We can use that moment."
Urahara considered this carefully.
"You wish to lure Aizen out—to force him to attack or influence Rukia—and we ambush him."
"Exactly."
"But Aizen rarely acts directly," Urahara muttered. "He might instead exploit Seireitei."
Renya nodded grimly. "Especially since Rukia violated Soul Society law by transferring her Shinigami powers to a human. That alone gives Aizen the perfect pretext."
Yoruichi folded her arms. "If he manipulates Seireitei, only high-ranking captains have the power needed to extract the Hōgyoku."
Urahara sighed. "Yes. The two methods for removing it are either stripping the soul with massive spiritual pressure—only certain captains can do that—or using the extraction technology I left hidden in the Seireitei archives."
Renya continued, "If Aizen wants minimal involvement, he'll manipulate the judgment system to send captains."
Urahara nodded. "Then we must prepare for both. Scenario one: Aizen comes to the Human World. Scenario two: Seireitei orders Rukia's retrieval under pretext of trial."
Yoruichi added, "If it's the first scenario, someone must shadow Rukia constantly. And we may need the Visoreds."
Renya shook his head immediately.
"No. Aizen already hypnotized all of them decades ago. They won't be useful. I will protect Rukia myself."
He looked straight at Urahara.
"Even without Bankai… I am the only one here who can restrain Aizen."
Urahara exhaled. "Very well. And if Seireitei acts, I'll open the Senkaimon for you. But are you sure Captain-Commander Yamamoto and Captain Unohana will believe your warnings?"
Renya answered without hesitation. "Yes. My plan involves offering my life as collateral. That should be convincing enough."
Yoruichi smirked. "If it comes to invading Seireitei, I'll go with him. With my Shunko and Thunder Beast Form, I won't be caught easily—and I still have allies."
Her speed alone made her a threat on par with Aizen before Kyōka Suigetsu's full involvement.
Urahara asked, "What is the time limit for this strategy?"
Renya thought for a moment. "Three months. If Aizen does not act within that time, Rukia should intentionally reveal her position to draw his attention."
Urahara asked the final question. "And the Hōgyoku? Should we extract it now? The method wouldn't harm Rukia's soul."
Renya shook his head firmly.
"No. Leave it inside her."
He continued:
"Aizen was only able to deduce the Hōgyoku's true nature because of Chad and Orihime's powers manifesting later. Keeping it inside Rukia ensures he remains convinced of his theory—that it grants wishes and evolves potential."
"If Aizen is to be tricked… the Hōgyoku must remain with her."
Renya added quietly, "And once Aizen is defeated, the Hōgyoku will return safely to the Seireitei."
Urahara finally exhaled and nodded. "Very well… we'll proceed with your plan."
Renya bowed slightly. "Then I'll take my leave."
"I'll approach Rukia at the proper moment," Urahara added. "When the time comes, I'll contact you."
Renya donned his cloak and vanished into the night, swallowed by the shadows of Karakura Town.